System for converting large dye becks into a plurality of small dye becks

ABSTRACT

A conversion system for dye becks provides a plurality of relatively small vessels which can be fitted within a large dye beck when it is desired to convert the large beck into a number of smaller treating vessels which can carry out separate dyeing or treating operations on separate samples. The small vessels are generally in the form of individual dye becks having their own fluid inlets and drains for receiving treating fluids therein. The individual vessels are provided with hanging devices for supporting a series of such vessels within a relatively large dye beck. The large dye beck is provided with a drive reel mounted in a position above the operational positions of the plurality of smaller vessels carried therein, and the drive reel functions to handle yardage samples for the individual vessels.

ilnited States Patent Daniel [54] SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING LARGE DYE BECKS INTO A PLURALIT Y OF [451 Jan. 18,1972

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary ExaminerWilliam 1. Price Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT A conversion system for dye becks provides a plurality of relatively small vessels which can be fitted within a large dye beck when it is desired to convert the large beck into a number of smaller treating vessels which can carry out separate dyeing or treating operations on separate samples. The small vessels are generally in the form of individual dye becks having their own fluid inlets and drains for receiving treating fluids therein. The individual vessels are provided with hanging devices for supporting a series of such vessels within a relatively large dye beck. The large dye heck is provided with a drive reel mounted in a position above the operational positions of the plurality of smaller vessels carried therein, and the drive reel functions to handle yardage samples for the individual vessels.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION This invention relates to a conversion system for dye becks or similar vessels used for treating lengths of textile goods. The invention is especially useful for converting relatively large dye becks into a plurality of smaller treating vessels which can simultaneously dye separate samples of woven goods, or other forms of textile materials.

It is known in this art to provide for various sizes and forms of dye becks, or similar vessels, for treating textile materials. Typically, goods are dyed or treated by moving an endless length of yardage through a dye liquor contained within the dye beck. Relatively large dye becks are in standard usage in the art and are designed to handle several hundred yards of good bunched in rope form. The present invention is directed to a conversion system for substantially changing the operational capabilities of such large dye becks. In accordance with the invention, a number of relatively small dye becks are constructed and designed to be fitted into a standard large dye beck in side-by-side relationships so that separate dyeing operations can be carried out in each of the smaller dye becks simultaneously. Capability to convert large dye becks from production dyeings to sample dyeings gives a dye house much greater versatility than has been possible up to the time of the invention. Prior to this invention, it was necessary to install and utilize additional dyeing becks or kettles during the season of dyeing samples while the standard large production becks were sitting idle. Conversely, during the regular production season, only the large becks were in use, and the additional kettles were idle and taking up space. Thus, the capability to convert from one type of production to another represents an important advance in this art.

The invention will be described withparticular reference to handling worsted goods for various dyeing operations, but it is to be understood that the concepts and teachings of this invention apply to many forms of treating vessels and many forms of materials to be treated. In a typical worsted operation, dyeing processes vary considerably during the year depending upon whether a sample line or a production line is being dyed. During the production line season, large dye becks are utilized to handle mulitpieces (for example, an average of eight pieces which equal approximately 800 yards of goods in worsted operations) of goods for each dyeing operation. However, during the sample season, it is desirable to handle less than a piece (for example 20 to 100 yards).

The conversion system of this invention allows a standard dye beck to be converted into a series of small dye becks, each having the capability of being utilized to dye yardage as small as 20 yards. Each small dye beck is capable of carrying out its own separate dyeing operation, and proper liquor-to-cloth ratios for samples ranging from 20 yards to 100 yards are readily available with each small dye beck. The small dye becks of this invention are more versatile and less costly than present day commercially available sample kettles, and a large dye beck can be converted to a series of small dye becks in a very short period of time (for example, in one working day or less). By providing a series of small dye becks within a large dye beck a need for additional water lines, steam lines, drains, and other utilities is minimized, and yet, each of the small dye becks includes its own utilities which can be individually controlled. Thus, the conversion system of the invention increases efiiciency of dyeing operations, reduces the number of dye becks required for year-round operations by allowing temporary utilization of large dye kettles as a series of small sample kettles, and, of course, capital expenditures are minimized and floor space and dye house personnel are better utilized.

These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the more detailed discussion which follows, and in that discussion reference will be made to the accompanying drawings as briefly discussed below.

2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, in somewhat schematic form, illustrating a large dye beck which has been converted to a series of nine small dye becks;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the type of equipment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a single dye beck of the type utilized by this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view generally from the back side of a single small dye beck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a typical embodiment of the invention wherein a large, production dye beck 10 has been converted for dyeing operations to be carried out in nine small dye becks 12. The large dye beck 10 is of a standard and conventional construction, and for purposes of illustration, it may be considered to be a standard dye beck which is 12 feet long, as used by present day dye houses. Such a standard dye beck includes bottom walls and sidewalls to define a large dyeing chamber in which multipiece yardage can be handled in accordance with known techniques. Typically, large dye becks of this size handle an average of eight pieces of yardage (with each piece being about yards) for each dyeing operation during the normal production season. The large dye beck 10 is provided with waterlines and steam lines, drains, and other collateral equipment as is well known in this art. The illustrated dye beck 10 is of the type which operates under ambient conditions, but it is contemplated that it could be a pressurized dye beck as well.

The conversion system of this invention provides for a plurality of identical small dye becks which can be mounted within a conventional large dye beck when it is desired to convert from normal production to smaller yardage sample production. The small dye becks 12 are mounted within the treating chamber space of the large dye beck 10 so that each of the small dye becks 12 can function as an individual treating vessel. This permits single piece, or less, samples (20 to 100 yards) to be handled and treated according to a desired process in each of the small dye becks 12. Each small dye beck is proved with its own utilities, such as steam lines waterlines and drains so that dyeing liquor, or other treating fluid, can be carefully controlled for the individual small dye beck. Thus, it is possible to simultaneously carry out dyeing operations which involve different colors or different treatments for separate samples within a single large dye beck 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the small dye becks 12 are provided with hanging means 14 which are received onto support means 16 placed within the large dye beck 10. A single support means 16, in the form of a rod or wooden member fitted in a fixed position transversely across the large dye beck 10, functions to receive and support hanging means 14 from a pair of adjoining small dye becks 12. Although the illustrated embodiments show nine small dye becks installed within a large dye beck, it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number may be installed for certain conversion requirements.

FIGS. 1 and 2 also show a drive reel means 18 mounted in a conventional position at an upper level of the large dye beck 10. The drive reel means 18 functions to handle goods for all of the plurality of small dye becks 12 contained within the large dye beck 10, and a single drive motor means 20 is operatively connected to the drive reel means 18 to rotate the drive reel means about its fixed position axis of rotation. It is preferred that a drive reel means of the type shown be utilized for sample dyeing operations and that a separate drive reel means be replaced into the large dye beck when it is converted back to full production operations. Alternatively, the drive reel means 18 could be in the form of a modified conventional drive reel with annular flange means 22 added thereon to define separate drive reels for the separate small dye becks.

The drive reel means is designed to provide a series of separate drive reels 24 corresponding to the number of small dye becks 12 which are contained within the large dye beck 10. Each of the individual drive reels 24 includes a pair of annular flange means 22 which are spaced apart so that sample yardage can pass over thedrive reel 24 between the pair of an nular flange means 22. The pair of annular flange means 22 function to guide the sample yardage and to prevent splashing between adjoining small dye beck operations. The edges of the flanges 22 are rolled, or provided with a bead, to prevent snagging of material being handled. Also, the individual reels 24 may be provided with conventional rubber strips 25 to increase friction of the drive reel surface.

Cooperating with the annular flange means 22 are upright splash plate means 26 which extend upwardly from the tops of the small dye becks to overlap the positions of the annular flange means 22. This provides a splash barrier between adjoining units so that distinct dyeing operations can be carried out in the adjoining units. A single splash plate means 26 may be fastened to an upright wall portion of a small dye beck to provide one splash plate means between each adjoining pair of small dye becks. Alternatively, the splash plate means can be supported and carried by the support means 16 located between adjoining pairs ofsmall dye becks.

FIG. 2 illustrates the direction of movement of a sample through a small dye beck and over its individual drive reel 24. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate details of individual small dye becks 12. It can be seen that each small dye beck is generally of a size and configuration to be received within the confines of a standard large dye beck 10. Further, each of the small dye becks are relatively deep, thereby providing desired and versatile handling characteristics for sample yardage. Generally, each small dye beck is in the form of an open topped vessel having a treating chamber defined therein. The vessel includes a pair of sidewalls 30 spaced apart from one another in a substantially parallel relationship. A front wall 32 defines the front of the small dye beck, and a bottom wall means 34 closes the bottom portion of the open topped vessel. The bottom wall 34 may extend around the curved lower back portion of the unit to become a back wall 36. In the FIG. 3 embodiment, a splash plate means 26 is shown as being secured to one of the upright walls 30 of the vessel. All of the wall portions are secured together so as to provide a liquid-sealed treating chamber within the vessel, and the entire unit can be fabricated from a suitable metal, such as stainless steel. It is preferred that the sidewalls 30 be relatively flat and parallel to one another so that a number of identical units can be placed within a large dye beck in side-by-side relationship.

Each of the small dye becks 12 are provided with individual utilities which are required for the treating operation to be performed. Typically, each small dye beck will include connections for receiving steam lines into front and back spaces of the treating chamber. This provides for a relatively uniform distribution of heat within the central treating chamber area of the individual dye beck. In addition, connections are provided for introducing dye into the front portion along with the steam which is introduced there so that a desired dyeing liquor can be made up. Individual drains 40 are provided for draining the unit at the end of an operation, and the drains can be controlled by manually operated valves so as to dump the contents of the individual small dye becks 12 into the drainage system of the large dye beck 10. It can be appreciated that the steam, water and dye conduits of the large dye beck can be made readily available to the individual connections provided for the small dye becks l2, and this substantially minimizes plant requirements for additional utilities and conduits when a changeover is made from production dyeing to sample dyeing. As shown in FIG. 3, baffle plate means 42 are provided at the front and rear portions of the small dye beck treating chamber to baffle the introduction of steam into the treating zone.

FIG. 3 also illustrates a guide means 44 provided at an upper level of each individual dye beck. This guide means, shown in the form of a guide roller mounted in bearings carried on the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 30, functions to place relatively long sample goods in a forward position within the treating zone prior to return up to the drive reel means 18.

For shorter samples, the guide roll 44 can be removed from the small dye beck since it is not required to pull the sample forward in the treating zone as much as with longer samples. The hanging means 14 which are illustrated are in the form of inverted U-shaped brackets fastened to the outside sidewalls ofeach dye beck 12. The hanging brackets are secured in staggered positions, on opposite sides of each unit, so that adjoining units can utilize a common supporting beam.

FIG. 4 illustrates an overflow structure 50 provided in the front wall 32 of each individual dye beck. This structure permits overflowing of liquid out of the small dye beck and into the drainage system of the large dye beck when it is desired to clean out an individual small dye beck unit.

Operation of the small dye becks involves known procedures for treating fabrics and other forms of fibers or manufactured goods. For example, in a design providing for a lSO-gallon capacity for each small dye beck I2, a preferred dye liquor composition can be introduced into the individual dye beck until it is approximately one-half filled. This would be normal operating level for liquid within the dye beck, but upon completion of dyeing operations, the dye beck could be flooded and drained to clean it. Typically, it is desirable to have a 20:1 ratio of dyeing liquor to cloth being handled, and this desirable ratio can be observed with the small dye becks of this invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the direction of movement of yardage is one of going up over the drive reel 22 and then down into the back area of the treating zone. Plaiting reels are not required to form convolutions in the short yardages being handled by small dye becks of this type, and, as discussed above, the guide roll 44 is optional, depending upon the length of the yardage to be treated.

When it is desired to convert a large dye beck to sample dyeing, the large dye beck is modified to replace its drive reel, to insert supporting beams 16, and to install the small dye becks with their own utility connections and controls. All of this can be accomplished in a relatively short time (for example, about 8 hours for the illustrated system). Likewise, conversion back to production dyeing is easily accomplished.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it will be appreciated by those skilled in this art that the invention can be practiced with fully equivalent structures and functional relationships. Also, in the context of this specification and its appended claims, references to dye becks are intended to include other treating vessels utilized in the textile industry. The described embodiments may be modified to include such features as individually operated drive reels for the individual small dye becks, a closure to allow pressurization of the system, heating devices within the individual small dye becks, and such other features as would be obvious to those skilled in this particular art. All such modifications and equivalent changes are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In dyeing apparatus of the type having a relatively large dye beck means for receiving yardage to be dyed, a conversion system comprising a plurality of small dye becks which can be mounted within said large dye beck when it is desired to convert the large dye beck to an operation for handling and treating samples of different colors, each of said small dye becks having individual inlet means for introducing treating fluid into the small dye becks, and each small dye beck being provided with hanging means for hanging the small dye beck within the large dye beck,

support means which can be fitted into said large dye beck for receiving said hanger means of the individual small dye becks, and

drive reel means mounted within said large dye beck in a position above the operational positions of said small dye becks.

2. The improvement ofclaim 1 wherein said small dye becks are each of a size and configuration so that all of said small dye becks can be fitted into the large dye beck in side-by-side relationships so that a single driving means can operate the drive reel means for a plurality of dyeing operations being carried out in the plurality of small dye becks.

3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each small dye beck comprises an open topped vessel having a dyeing chamber defined therein by sidewalls and bottom wall means.

4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein the sidewalls of the small dye becks are flat so that a plurality of the dye becks can be closely fitted into the large dye beck in side-by-side relationships.

5. The improvement of claim 2 wherein a single support means is positioned between adjoining small dye becks so as to receive hanger means from each of the dye becks making up a pair of adjoining small dye becks.

6. The improvement of claim 1 and including splash plate means positioned between adjoining small dye becks to prevent splashing of treating fluid from one sample to another.

7. The improvement of claim 6 wherein said splash plate means extend upwardly between adjoining small dye becks for a sufficient distance to prevent splashing that may take place from the area of said drive reel means.

8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein said drive reel means includes a sufiicient number of annular flanges spaced along its length to cooperate with said splash plate means to prevent splashing between adjoining small dye becks.

9. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said drive reel means is provided with a plurality of annular flanges spaced along its length to define separate drive reels for each of said plurality of small dye becks. 

1. In dyeing apparatus of the type having a relatively large dye beck means for receiving yardage to be dyed, a conversion system comprising a plurality of small dye becks which can be mounted within said large dye beck when it is desired to convert the large dye beck to an operation for handling and treating samples of different colors, each of said small dye becks having individual inlet means for introducing treating fluid into the small dye becks, and each small dye beck being provided with hanging means for hanging the small dye beck within the large dye beck, support means which can be fitted into said large dye beck for receiving said hanger means of the individual small dye becks, and drive reel means mounted within said large dye beck in a position above the operational positions of said small dye becks.
 2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said small dye becks are each of a size and configuration so that all of said small dye becks can be fitted into the large dye beck in side-by-side relationships so that a single driving means can operate the drive reel means for a plurality of dyeing operations being carried out in the plurality of small dye becks.
 3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each small dye beck comprises an open topped vessel having a dyeing chamber defined therein by sidewalls and bottom wall means.
 4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein the sidewalls of the small dye becks are flat so that a plurality of the dye becks can be closely fitted into the large dye beck in side-by-side relationships.
 5. The improvement of claim 2 wherein a single support means is positioned between adjoining small dye becks so as to receive hanger means from each of the dye becks making up a pair of adjoining small dye becks.
 6. The improvement of claim 1 and including splash plate means positioned between adjoining small dye becks to prevent splashing of treating fluid from one sample to another.
 7. The improvement of claim 6 wherein said splash plate means extend upwardly between adjoining small dye becks for a sufficient distance to prevent splashing that may take place from the area of said drive reel means.
 8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein said drive reel means includes a sufficient number of annular flanges spaced along its length to cooperate with said splash plate means to prevent splashing between adjoining small dye becks.
 9. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said drive reel means is provided with a plurality of annular flanges spaced along its length to define separate drive reels for each of said pluralitY of small dye becks. 